Things I like about living in Utah*

I've been meaning to do a post about this ever since I started this blog, so I guess now is as good of time as any:

*Disclaimer: This list will probably not be exclusively about "Utah", but will also probably include things about Logan, USU, or this semester in general. This is a really long note, and because I didn't proof-read before posting there are bound to be mistakes... sorry if the format isn't reader-friendly.

In no particular order...

1. I like that the milk is over a dollar cheaper here than it is in Missouri. One of the nice things about having 62 dairies within 15 miles of Cache Valley. It's especially nice for me, because I eat a lot of cereal.

2. I love how nice people are here. Not only that, but I love that partying really isn't a big activity around here, and people who do "party" are way in the minority, which was totally not the case at Westminster, as nice as everyone was there.

3. I like getting to see Sarah on a daily basis. She's really fun to hang out with, and it's much better than talking on the phone.

4. I like not being in a long-distance relationship with Eric, as fun as it was to go visit him in Kansas City. It's great having him live just across the street.

5. I like all of the churches everywhere... it's hilarious and awesome all at the same time. (I like going to church. I've always been that way, but it's really fun with all of the people here you can meet.)

6. I love that there's LDS stuff EVERYWHERE... Wal-Mart, the public library, Deseret Book and Seagull book, the list goes on. It's pretty great.

7. Deseret Industries is the nicest second-hand store I've been to. I haven't gone there too often, but I do have some really cute clothes from going there at the beginning of the school year.

8. While it doesn't look like much on the outside, Logan's public library has the best selection I've seen for a city library. They have a wide selection of movies that Eric and I have checked out over the year, and they have books by every author I like, which I can't say for many other libraries I've been to.

9. "Books of Yesterday" cracks me up. They have SO many books, all over the store in random piles. It's seriously hard for me to describe how many books they have. Also...

10. The video section of "Books of Yesterday" has an extensive edited movie section, so if you wanted to watch Christopher Nolan's "Memento", but you didn't want to hear the F-word 74 times, you could get the edited version (which also takes out any graphic violence or trashy sex-scenes). It does a really good job, and you don't even notice anything's missing. I've heard that it's no longer legal to edit films like that, which is a shame because I really liked "Memento" and would have bought an edited version.

11. I LOVE the view! The mountains always look really cool in the different times of day (when I can see them anyway... not a fan of inversion.) But the city just looks so nice year-round.


12. I love living so close to the Logan Temple. It's a really magnificent building, and, like the mountains, it looks awesome in different lighting. It makes the whole town look nicer.

13. I like living close to a Pepperidge Farm factory, because they have a surplus store attached where you can buy cheap goldfish and Pepperidge Farm cookies in bulk. Also, there are a LOT of Ice Cream stores around here, even though it's cold most of the year. (Aggie Ice Cream!)

14. I like sledding on Old Main Hill! It makes the snow something to be excited about, instead of just something that makes your walk to class miserable.

15. I like living so close to Salt Lake City, because that place is awesome. Also, I like living in the same state as so many Church leaders. These are great, great men, and it's crazy for me to be so close to people who are almost celebrity-like in my mind (except better, because they have outstanding character).

16. I like the sidewalks everywhere, so when Eric and I decide spur of the moment to go for a walk, we aren't really limited by much except time. The Logan Zoo is also a fun place to walk.

17. I like Shangrila Health Food Store, and a gas station of Main Street I can't remember the name of, because those places are where Eric and I get our special ginger sodas. On a somewhat-related note, I like all of the Subways around here. There are I think six that are in Logan or right outside of Logan.

18. I like the mall in Logan. Even though its little, it has a really funny arcade that Eric and I went to once.

19. I like the walking/hiking trails nearby in the mountains. Lots of options, though now that it's snowy it probably would be too treacherous to attempt any of the really cool ones, so we just walk around downtown. Logan's downtown area is really nice, and it has the beautiful Logan Tabernacle where we've gone to Stake Conference.

20. I think Logan attracts quality entertainment (Brian Regan, B.J. Novak, and many others). The city, like Columbia MO, is a big supporter of the arts, but unlike Columbia, it does not attract crime and other problems that liberal cities tend to have. I also think the Ellen Eccles theater downtown is a beautiful performance venue.

21. I like that Sundays actually mean something around here. Streets aren't as busy, campus is dead, and all of the churches around here are full of people, mostly college-aged people. There are so many that for each building, different full-sized congregations will come in for services throughout the day. It's really nice that people care.

22. I like Old Main. It's a really pretty building, especially so when I'm walking there from the Business building, and it's just standing there majestically looking like a castle with the snow-covered mountains behind it. Also, the upstairs area where my class is has a really cozy, home-y feel about it.

23. I like the Institute of Religion program on campus. So far, last semester and this semester, the classes I take there end up being my favorite ones out of my schedule. Not only that, but there is a huge selection of classes of can take, and it's free. It's a great blessing.

24.  I like the greenhouse on campus, because even when there's a thick blanket of snow on the ground, it cheers me up to see colorful flowers in bloom through the window. Another building that's great is USU's library. That actually might be the coolest building on campus.

25. I like living close to Bear Lake, even though I haven't visited since the summer. Heck, I like living close to the West Coast, even though I've never visited! It's just fun to imagine and talk about the possibility of visiting, because before these places were a little out of reach.

Even though I can think of a couple others, 25 is a nice, round number, and so if I ever think of anything big, I'll make a Part II.